It is the first hand of a game. The West player (East's partner) has bid 5. With 12 tricks already declared, most East players would automatically say Nil. I certainly would especially with a 5 bid from partner. The hand has three safe suits, with only a marginal risk in Diamonds. Surely, my partner will have something of value! Now, let us look at two scenarios:

Hand A (Partner - West)	Hand B (Partner - West)
A K Q 3	A K Q 3
7 4 3	A Q 9
A Q 9	7 4 3
A 10 5	A 10 5

Certainly, there is no problem with West's bid. There are five top tricks, with an additional opportunity for a sixth trick via successful red suit finesse. Both hands have identical distribution and high card strength but with a very significant difference. The red suits are reversed! Does this really matter? Absolutely!

Hand "A" easily covers the Nil bid, as the Diamond suit is completely safe. Hand "B" has a serious problem, as the Heart suit values are wasted opposite East's low spot cards, and the Diamond suit is now vulnerable, especially if West is forced to lead Diamonds. The success of the hand may come down to a guess, or become dependent on a defensive error.

This is a classic example of Duplication. There are times in which a specific suit placement of high cards can often spell the difference between a 'set' and a 'make' of a hand. Thus, luck is a factor in Nil bids.

Certainly, an unbalanced hand is preferred, as discarding opportunities are great. Remember, a Nil is a trick-avoidance bid, and the defense should also think in reverse. The partner of the Nil bidder will be doing everything in order to ensure the success of the Nil - and this includes sacrificing his own bid, if necessary. A lot of 'botched' Nils are due to poor cooperation between the Nil bidder and his/her partner. Your job is to disrupt the communication between the opponents, and induce an erroneous play. Remember, most Nils have an 'underbelly' (weak spot) and your mission is to find it!

If your side has a high level bid (eight or more), you are advised to secure your contract before embarking on defeat of a Nil. Otherwise, you may get set while the Nil makes - an absolute disaster! Low level bids by your side of four or less are certainly worth sacrificing - while middle-level bids require judgment as the loss of five or six bid in exchange for the set of a Nil is often dictated by the score and bag count at the time. Here are some useful tips for 'breaking' the opponent's Nils.

1. If you have the opening lead, and you hold several low cards in the same suit, begin your attack here. This will force the Nil bidder's partner to use his 'covering' cards in the same suit - often prematurely. An alternative lead is middle cards but this is less effective. Avoid leading an Ace against a Nil, as it will allow the 'covering' hand to discard a low card, and the Nil hand will dump a high card. (Some players like the lead of a singleton Ace. This is a borderline maneuver which has some merit, especially if preparing to discard 'blocking' cards in another suit).



2. A very strong defense is the lead of a singleton middle or low card. This will prepare your hand for the 'breaking' of trump - a very effective strategy. You may also opt for the discarding of high cards in a side suit.



3. Do not lead or cash high cards in suits which are lengthy. This will help the Nil bidder to dump losers, and may accumulate bags for you, as well.



4. If your partner leads a low card, and the 'covering' hand also plays low (for any reason), then it is vital to play your lowest card (in that suit) as well. Do not trump if void. The Nil bidder may be forced to win this trick.



5. A very effective defense against Nils is the ruffing or 'cutting' with high trump of a suit in which you are void. The idea is to promote a middle trump in the Nil hand. An alternative defense is the cashing of high Spades in order to reduce the trumping power of the covering hand. This is a very advanced area of the game, and you must determine the approximate layout of the opponents' hands before selecting a specific approach.



6. Never lead a suit (unless forced) in which the Nil bidder is void. This is a horrible play, and allows for easy discards.



7. Another equally putrid play is the yielding of the 'ruff-sluff'. This is the lead of a suit in which BOTH opponents are void. This usually occurs toward the end of a hand. (The Nil bidder makes a discard, while his partner trumps, or the covering hand trumps high and the Nil hand underruffs).



8. A nice technique is the 'cross ruff' - the trumping of two different suits (back and forth) by you and your partner. The idea is to reduce your trump length and perhaps establish a long trump in the Nil hand.



9. If the Nil bidder is on your RIGHT (side), your defense is much easier, as you can rise with a high card in third position (if the Nil bidder plays low) or duck a lead if it appears the Nil bidder may be forced to win that trick. A lot of very nice techniques can be applied if your partner is alert, and you can find a weak suit in the Nil hand.



10. The most important cards in your hand are the CONTROLS in each suit (the Deuces). Threes and Fours may often become critical, as well. It is vital to watch all of the cards which have been played. If you can obtain the lead at the right time, you may have the chance to force the Nil hand to win a trick - especially if Spades have been depleted.

If you establish the reputation as a 'Nil Buster', your opponents may not be as inclined to bid those speculative Nils! Good luck!